Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:869718

Hazen, Terry C ^[1]; Fliermans, Carl B ^[1]

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1. Augusta, GA

An apparatus and method for in situ remediation of contaminated subsurface soil or groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. A nutrient fluid is selected to stimulate the growth and reproduction of indigenous subsurface microorganisms that are capable of degrading the contaminants; an oxygenated fluid is selected to create a generally aerobic environment for these microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, leaving only pockets that are anaerobic. The nutrient fluid is injected periodically while the oxygenated fluid is injected continuously and both are extracted so that both are drawn across the plume. The nutrient fluid stimulates microbial colony growth; withholding it periodicially forces the larger, healthy colony of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Treatment is continued until the subsurface concentration of contaminants is reduced to an acceptable, preselected level. The nutrient fluid can be methane and the oxygenated fluid air for stimulating production of methanotrophs to break down chlorohydrocarbons, especially trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5384048
• OSTI ID: 869718
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

bioremediation
contaminated
groundwater
apparatus
method
situ
remediation
subsurface
soil
chlorinated
hydrocarbons
nutrient
fluid
selected
stimulate
growth
reproduction
indigenous
microorganisms
capable
degrading
contaminants
oxygenated
create
aerobic
environment
degrade
leaving
pockets
anaerobic
injected
periodically
continuously
extracted
drawn
plume
stimulates
microbial
colony
withholding
periodicially
forces
larger
healthy
microbes
treatment
continued
concentration
reduced
acceptable
preselected
level
methane
air
stimulating
production
methanotrophs
break
chlorohydrocarbons
especially
trichloroethylene
tce
tetrachloroethylene
chlorinated hydrocarbons
contaminated groundwater
selected level
subsurface soil
water contaminated
preselected level
chlorinated hydrocarbon
contaminated subsurface
situ remediation
/210/405/435/588/